2015: Good Times, Good Eats, Good Outfits

In just a few short hours, 2015 will come to a close. Like every year, there are ups and downs, but I've got to say, this year was a good one. I have so many things to look forward to in the new year (for one...my wedding!), but it is nice to look back at the year and reflect on all the good times, good eats, and even the good outfits ;)...okay and looking back at the bad things and hard times is good too. Painful maybe, but looking back you can see how you overcame all those challenges.  

So like last year, I'd like to do a little recap with some (not all) of my favorite posts from 2015.

THE GOOD OUTFITS

sweather weather

sitting, waiting, wishing

lost & found

spring rules

honey, i'm good

wanderlust

romp n' roll

nonstop

tis the season to be fall-y 

taste of autumn

yes-vember

happy holicraze

THE GOOD EATS

hash it out

salad daze

summer sips

summer catch

spicy coconut noodles

let's taco bout it

pumpkin spice & everything nice

gnocchi, gnocchi. who's there?

carrots roasting on an open fire (kinda)

THE GOOD DIYS

popping the question

love's brewing

diy kimono

diy: wrap necklace

love is in the air plant

diy: marbled paper

diy: keychain

cup of cheer

THE GOOD TIMES

san francisco

yosemite

labor day weekend

new york city

apple picking

san diego

XO – Courtney

Surprise: San Diego

Zack & I have done a good amount of exploring around California this year, and we managed to squeeze in one more trip before 2015 ended. 

I wanted to surprise Zack with a trip to San Diego for his 26th birthday, but with Zack's unpredictable work schedule, I had to be extra sneaky. He ended up getting an unexpected long weekend around Thanksgiving, so I told him we would be celebrating his birthday that Saturday (no specifics). So when Saturday morning rolled around, I woke him up bright and early and said, "Let's go." 

I didn't give him a single hint about where we were going until the San Diego skyline was in view. I told him we were headed to the San Diego Zoo for they day, had a dinner date at Coronado Island, and would be spending the next morning exploring the lighthouse and tide pools at Point Loma. His response (after expressing his excitement and complete shock/surprise): "But I didn't pack an overnight bag." Yep, I had that covered too. Let the adventure begin.

San Diego Zoo

I remember coming to this zoo with my family when I was younger, and it was still just as fun. We got there when they opened and spent about 6 hours wandering the zoo. I had also packed a picnic lunch so we didn't have to spend an arm and a leg on food inside the park. From tigers play fighting, to lazy pandas, to baby hippos...this zoo has a ton of animals to check out and I'm adding this to the "must list" for first time visitors to San Diego. 

There's also the San Diego Safari Park (on our list for next time).

Coronado Island

It's actually a peninsula, and you can get here by ferry or car. We opted to drive across the Coronado Bay Bridge (super tall, but gives a great view). The beaches of Coronado are supposed to be some of the most beautiful, but it was a little chilly (and late) for sunbathing. Honestly, we headed to Coronado not knowing much, but it ended up being a really nice and relaxing evening. We found street parking near the Hotel del Coronado, a gorgeous Victorian-style hotel that was decked out in holiday decorations, and wandered the grounds. There were shops, restaurants, and even an outdoor ice skating rink sitting right on the beach. For dinner we settled into a cute little restaurant on the bay: Bluewater Boathouse. It was amazing sea food and fabulous service. 

Point Loma

The next morning we drove out to Point Loma to visit the tide pools and other landmarks. The peninsula offers a view of San Diego on one side, and a never ending view of the Pacific Ocean on the other. We wandered around the Cabrillo National Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse

before making our way down to the tide pools. 

Unfortunately the tides were not in our favor--low tide (well...the lowest low tide) wouldn't be until late afternoon and we had head home soon. But even though we couldn't see all the little critters in the tide pools, wandering around the cliffs and watching the waves crash into the rocks was still a sight worth seeing. 

When I was researching things to do in San Diego, I discovered so many things to do and places to explore. And since it's such a quick drive from LA, I know we will definitely be visiting again. 2015, you've treated us to many wonderful adventures, and I'm hoping 2016 is filled with just as many (or more).

XO – Courtney

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Who Needs Snow?

Last year Zack & I started a new tradition together: creating hilarious/fun/creative Christmas cards. So far, it's been really fun trying to come up with ideas, and I'm pretty happy with this years. Thank you to the family who stood on the pier and took pictures of Zack and I making "sand angels". No snow for us, but I'm pretty sure we're having a colder Christmas in LA than our friends and family in NC! 

So what do you think...did we top last years card? (For those of you who missed it or need a refresher...click here Christmas 2014.)

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. And even though this won't be my last post of 2015, I just wanted to take a second to say thanks for following along this year, and I can't wait to see what's in store for 2016! 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!

Luke 2:14

XO – Courtney